The Cherub, Dartmouth

Nice old pub in the town, still traditional and with real ale

The Cherub is a 14th Century Grade II listed pub that is documented to be the oldest building in Dartmouth. However, it has only actually became a pub in the 1970s, and a small one at that. The name Cherub is taken from the name of a boat rather than a flying baby. The bar area has a serving counter against the left wall and seating with tables under the front leaded windows. Seating also runs across an inglenook in the right wall and along the back wall. The ceiling includes wooden beams taken from Tudor ships and there are a few cherubs dotted around, as are a few horse brasses. Some old exposed brickwork adds to the oldie worldie atmosphere. By the entrance is a flight of treacherous stairs that lead up to a dining area with four or five tables. This is where a tiny little kitchen is located; I’ve no idea how they manage to prepare the food on the menu. The food isn’t cheap, the cheeseburger is priced at £17. Further up the stairs are the toilets that are guarded by a very short knight. There were 15 people in attendance during a recent Tuesday lunchtime visit and the place felt very busy. The cask options from the bar were South Hams Brewery’s Stumble Bee, Prescott Brewery’s Super 6, St Austell’s Tribute and Otter Ale. One handpump was off and one was unused. There is also a limited keg selection. The atmosphere was good with a mix of locals and holidaymakers as well as some background music from the likes of Prince. The governor was polite, but I did fell sorry for him having to keep walking up and down the stairs to collect and deliver food. I liked it in here, in fact I stayed for five pints of Tribute so it must have been good. Recommended.

Very attractive little pub, both inside and out, with a half-timbered façade and exposed beams in the bar. There is also a dining room up the spiral staircase. Decent selection from the six handpumps, as you would expect from a Good Beer Guide listed establishment, with the 'house' (St Austell) Cheeky Cherub, Proper Job, 'Fraid Knot (£4.20) and Tomahawk from Exeter, Black Tor's Pride of Dartmoor and Old Rosie cider.

Located up a narrow side alley off the main road (or through the back street if you’ve gone off-piste). From the main road you’d easily miss it but the Higher St side shows this as an aged black and white timber building (parts of which claim medieval heritage). There’s a single small bar (you’d be lucky to get more than 30 in here) with diamond lead latticed windows, wonky wood beams (old ships timbers, apparently), padded settles. Steep, twisty and rickety stairs lead up to a restaurant area. A nice old atmosphere with plenty to keep your eyes occupied. On a busy summer’s Sunday I appeared to be the only obvious tourist - I guess it's not an obvious location though it's very simple to get to! Six pumps with five on: Hanlons Blend, Exeter Lighterman, Cotleigh, Salcombe Lifesaver and St Austell Proper Job. Halves of the latter two got me really good beer, impressively cool on a day where the temperature outside was well-over 30 degrees. Also St Austell Stout available on keg. If I hadn’t have limited time I would have stayed for another. Dartmouth is a lovely little place and this pub should be an intrinsic part of any trip there. 8.5